Device for reducing materials



April 29, 1930 H. G. LYKKEN 1,756,253

DEVICE FOR REDUCING MATERIALS Filed Dec. 9, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 29, 1930. H. G. YKKEN 1,756,253

DEVICE FOR REDUCING MATERIALS Filed Dec. 9. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 29, 1930 UNITED STATESl HENRY G. L-YKKEN, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA DEVICE FOR REDUCING MATERIALS v Application led December 9, 1925. Serial No. 74,223.

The present invention relates to reducing devices for various materials and substances which may be of a more or less friable na ture, such as coal and similar fuels, cement,

clinker, gypsum and kindredmaterials, susceptible to reduction by particles acting upon particles or against each other.

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of lnovel means for employing induced uidal currents or similar effects in such a manner as to produce a reduction of the material to the desired degreel and proportion with the iluid acting as a reducer and also as a conveyor of the reduced particles. 16 The means is preferably of an upright or vertical type having a chamber in which is preferably located a rotor rotatable about an upright or vertical axis. The medium for effecting the reduction is preferably air, but 20 other fluids may be used as desired, which may be controllably supplied to the chamber, preferably into the lower part thereof as through the lower part of the rotor. A o'ua'rd, shield, or the like, preferably in the orm of a plate may be used to effect the radial action'of the air, the rotor also acting as an eddy or cyclone inducer such that the air entrained b it will effect an eddying of the air or the like in strata with the inner strata and those the more proximate to the peripheral parts of the rotor, in such a manner that such inner strata will travel or move at a greater rate than those moving remote therefrom.. lThe effect at the same time will include centrifugal forces or stresses acting radially outwardly so that the inner and more rapidly moving layers Will cause an' abraiding or eroding action of the particles thereof against the particles of the ad- *40 jacently located and slower moving layers.

of the particles and air.

The invention also com rehends the provi- ,l -sion of a region of action etween the peripheral arts of the'rotor and the walls of the cham er, vsuch region being preferably of substantial dimension for an efficient r'eception of the material in such region for aiding in causing relative movement of the adjacent strata of the eddy, the outer layers or strata;

5 those adjacent to or contacting with the walls of the chamber, may be retarded or anchored, as by projections or ribs and grooves provided at or on the inner wall portions of the chamber. 1

Such inner wall construction also comprehends the feature of receiving and conducting back the insufficiently reduced particles to the lower part of the chamber for further entraining with the newly supplied materials, for further reduction, the grooves acting as channels for the purpose stated.

The rotor feature also includes a static zone, preferably in or around the upper part of the rotor and preferably between spaced guards, shields or plates, to prevent the recirculation of the material through the rotor and to maintain the eddy effect in the reducing region, as the reduced material and carrier, such as the air, whereby' the material and air may gradually'rise as the same is caused to eddy, the rising of the same being for the purpose of separation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a separatin means for'the reduced material whereby t e attaining of particles of given linenessmay be had and also'the proportion of the particles to the air used, the separating means being preferably a cham-.- ber above the rotor, such asa chamber space p or portion of the reducing chamber at the upper part thereof. n j Y,

As another feature of the invention is the provision of an air chamber or 'assage' so associated with the reducing cham er, as below `the same, as to supply the air into the lower part of the reducing chamber, preferably into the lower part of the rotor, for initial action upon-such air by the rotor, the air then passing through the eddy region. Control means is also preferably provided foradjustaby controlling the rate of entry and the amount of air su plied.

' The inventionalso inc udes an exhaust or flow inducing means, the-latter'being preferably above the separatingjchamber and so associated with it to'receive the rising fine particles, and -air'for conductingv the same to a place of use, this means also actin to cause a passage or' flow of air through t e device from the air ventry chamber to thechamber of the exhaust means. The latter preferably have a fan rotated with or in unison with the rotor, and if desired, the fan may also be operated in the separating chamber for aiding the separating function and the movement of the material and air through the device.

As another object of the invention, the device ma have means for supplying the material to e reduced and separated, to the reducing chamber, as by an inlet and hopper at one side of the chamber and means for controlling the charging of the material to such inlet, as by a movable gate. The gate may be controllable as by being weighted or by adjusting means for regulating the size of the inlet, as well as regulating the manner of presenting the material to the reducing region.

The invention may also include the idea of collecting non-reducible objects and material, such as the provision of a collecting chamber or pocket referably located below the reducing cham er or region and also preferably below the charging inlet for the material whereby the non-reducible objects may sink or fall by ravity into the pockets. The pockets prefera ly have means, such as a closure, for affording access to the interior of the pockets and for the ready removal of the collected materials. For the purpose of aiding the collection of these objects, the collecting feature may also comprehend the providing of a chamber, which may be formed by an enlarged lower portion of the reducing chamber, this forming a chamber communieating with the pocket itself and being capable of permitting the gradual movement of the material and objects collected in the last mentioned chamber toward and to the collecting pocket, and yet allowing for a proper reducing region between the rotor and the material collected in said chamber.

The invention comprehends other objects, advantages, features and capabilities as will later appear and as are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring to the drawings, showing two illustrative embodiments of the invention, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a device constructed in accordance with the invention, part of the device being shown in side elevatlon.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view Ataken in a plane represented by line 2-2 in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Fig. 3 is a View partly in vertical transverse section and partly in side elevation of another construction illustrating the invenion.

And, Fig. 4 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken in a plane represented by the line 4-4 in Fig. 3 o the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the illustrative embodiments are shown as comprising a vertical reducing chamber 1 in which is rotatably located a rotor rotatable with a shaft 2 operated,- by suitable means, such as a motor 3, mounted upon the device. The rotor comprises a series of actuating or impelling members 4 and 5 carried by radially extending arms 6 rigid with hubs 7 made fast in any suitable manner to the shaft 2. The rotor is preferably made in two sections, with a separating guard or shield 8 between the lower and upper rotor sections. A similar shield 9 may be provided at the upper end of the upper rotor, the shields 8 and 9 being spaced to form a rotor zone.

The chamber 1 is supported upon and above a chamber 10 and separated therefrom by a floor 11 having an opening or aperture 12 for the entry of air and the like from the chamber 10 into the chamber 1. chamber 10 has a base or iioor 13 which may constitute the bottom of the device, and the chamber also has any desired number of openings 14 serving for the entry of air into the chamber 10, such openings being controlled by adjustable closure members 15 of any desired form.

The shaft 2 extends vertically through the device andl has its lower end suitably mounted in a bearing means 16 in the lower part of thel chamber 10.

The chamber 1 extends upwardly with an extending or projecting space or portion 17 above the upper end of the rotor. This space serves for the separation of insuiliciently reduced particles from the finer particles, as the air and particles are caused to move upwardly in the chamber 1. At the upper end of the chamber 17 is a wall or ceiling 18 having an opening or aperture 19 communicating with a chamber 20 located above the chamber 17 the chamber 20 having one or more outlet passages 21 which may lead to a place of use or a place of storage in the event of storing the material acted upon. Surmounting the chamber 20 may be a suitable number of supporting members 22 preferably rigid with the top wall of the chamber 20 and serving for suitably supporting the motor 3, the latter being operatively connected to the upper end of the shaft 2.

Within the chamber 17 there may be or not The d as desired, a fan 22a secured to the shaft 2,

this fan operating in the chamber 17 to increase the circulation therein and to aid in the separating operation of the device. In the chamber 2() is preferably located a fan 23 also secured to the shaft 2 tol rotate therewith, this fan acting as a suction or exhaust means for drawing air or the like through the device and to also act in delivering or supplying the air and separated particles through the-outlet passage 21.

The inner side walls of the chamber 1 are preferably provided with a series of vertical ribs 24 in spaced relation with each other so as to provide 4grooves or channels 25 theref' downward movement of the material toward the lower end or part of the chamber 1 for las further action thereon by the rotor.

is lshown with inclined'walls, While in the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the walls are shown vertical.. In either case there is a substantial distance or space between the outer or peripheral parts of the rotor and the inner surface portions of the wall of the chamber, such space constituting a region of action which will be hereinafter more fully explained.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the lower part of the chamber 1 may be provided with a lateral extending chamber 26 in which may be collected non-reducible objects or material and from which such objects or material may be readily removed through .an opening normally closed by closure 27, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In the upper part of the chamber 1, and at one side thereof, as at one side of the chamber 17, may be provided an inlet opening or charging passage 28 connected with a hop'- per 29 in which the material may be placed for charging into the chamber, the passage 28 being controlled by a gate 30 or the likev for regulating the rate of charging or gravitational movement of the material into the chamber. The material will move by gravity portion of material thus being carried in the eddy and caused to rotate or circulate in the reducing or eddying region 31 between the peripheral parts of the rotor and the inner surface of the reducingchamber, the layers of material proximate to or in contact with the ribs 24 and extending into the grooves 25, are either held stationary or permitted to remove with retardation so that the outer layers or strata of the material will move slowly while the inner layers or strata which are nearer to the rotor will move at a greater rate. At the same time the rotor is effecting centrifugal forces or stresses radially outwardly into the region 31 and through the same so as to cause the particles of one layer to rub or act against the particles of another layer and owing to the relative dierences in speed of movement of the adjacent layers, these particles will be reduced in size'. This action will progress as the air and suspended the separating chamber.

charging opening 33 in the lower part of the hopper and communicating withthe lower part of the chamber. This outlet may be controlled by a vertically slidable gate34 carrying a rack 35 vcooperating with a pinion 36 suitably lmounted in the hopper and suitably.

operated from -theoutside thereof 'asflesired In the form shown in Figsfl and-2,- the lower or reducing portion'of thechamber 1f 'Beneath this hopper is preferably located the collection -chamberor'pocket 37 which may have an inlet opening 38 preferably located In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the ma terialis located in a hopper 32 located to one side of the chamber and having an outlet or beneath the charging outlet4 of the hopper and l also beneath the reducing portion of the chamber 1, the chamber 1 being also provided with an annular overhanging chamber 39 for' receiving non-reducible objects and material and for serving as a channel or guide means for the movement of the same to the inlet 38 of the collection pocket 37. The latter also preferably has a cleanout opening normally closed by a closure 40 for al'ordingready access to the interior of the pocket and for the removal of the -'collected objects.

' In the .operation of the device, the motor rotates the rotor at given speed, and the fan 23 will cause an exhausting or passage of air through the device, the air entering through the openings 14 into the air chamber 10, the

quantity of air being controlled by the adj ustable closure members 15.` The air then proceeds through the opening 12 into the lower end of the rotor or the lower section thereof, the air then proceeding radially into the reducing or eddying region 31. The rotation of the rotor will cause the air to be entrained labout the rotor and to move in the form of an eddy in the region 31, while at the same time impressing centrifugal stresses in such regionand toward the inner surfaces of the walls of thechamber. In order to prevent the air from passing directly upwardly through the rotor, a ystop plate or shield 8 is t provided. This will also aid in directing the air toward the periphery of the rotor as the same enters into the rotor. Between the shields 8 and 9 is provided the upper section vof the rotor which will act as a static zone rotor to prevent recirculation into tle same of the air and particles of material carried thereby and also act as an entraining member and centrifugal stress effecting member for 'completing the reducing action. At the same time the material is being fed downwardly by gravity, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or through the discharge outlet of the hopper of the forms shown in Figs. 3 and 4, so that the toe of the material will be presented into the region of reduction 31 as shown in the latter figures.

The action of the air is to cause the material to be carried about the rotor inthe region 31 and to be reduced in the manner above stated. The layers of material and air will rotate with the `rotor or about the same and Athe finer particles and air will-be carried toward the center of the chamber and rise through the opening 19 into the exhaust chamber 20. The fan 23 will cause this mixture to pass through the discharge passa-ge 21, the mixture then proceeding to the place of use.

Vhile I have herein described and upon the drawings shown a few illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus disclosed the` invention, I claim: l

1. A reducing device, comprising a chamber, a rotor therein, means for feeding air into the lower part of the rotor, means for feeding the material to be reduced into the chamber for reducing action thereon by the air acted upon by said rotor, and means for conveying the reducedmaterial and air from above said rotor.

2. A reducing device, comprising a chamber, a rotor therein and rotatable about an upright axis, means for feeding the material to be reduced laterally into said chamber, means for admitting air into said chamber for action thereon by said rotor and for air reduction on said material, and means for conveying the air and reduced material.

3. A reducing device, comprising va rotor rotatable about a vertical axis and acting to create an eddy therearound, a chamber therefor and providing a substantial space between the peripheralpa-rtsof said rotor and the side walls of the chamber to provide for a region of eddy action, andmeansfor sup- -'p lying the material; to-be reduced to said rey gion.

4. A 'reducing device, comprising a rotor rotatable about a vertical axis and acting to create an eddy therearound, a chamber therefor and providing a substantial space between the peripheral parts of said rotor and the side walls of the chamber to provide for a region of eddy action, means for supplying the reducible material to said region, and means for holding relatively stationary or retarding the material in the outer strata in said region.

5. A reducing device, comprising a rotor chamber having a body of material therein,

a rotor rotatable *in said chamber, said rotor acting to create an eddy for reducing said material, a separating chamber above said rotor chamber and communicating therewith,

a discharge chamber connected to said separating chamber and having means therein for causing a movement of air through said rotor and separating chambers, and means for supplyin g the material to be reduced into said rotor chamber.

6. A reducing device, comprising a rotor chamber having -a body of material therein, a rotor rotatable in said chamber, said rotor acting to create an eddy for reducing said material, a separating chamber above said rotor chamber and communicating therewith, a discharge chamber above said separating chamber, a fan in said discharge chamber, and means for supplying the material to be reduced into said rotor chamber.

7. A reducing device, comprising a series of communicating chambers, a rotor in one of said chambers for eecting a material reducing airv eddy therein, means for supplying material to be vreduced into said last mentioned chamber, and means for controlling the passage of airthrough said chambers.

8. A reducing device comprising a series of communicating chambers, a rotor in one of said chambers for effecting a material reducing air eddy therein, means for supplying material to be reduced into said last mentionedchamber, means for controlling the passage of air through said chambers, and means in another of said chambers for effecting movement of air through said chambers.

9. .In a reducing device comprising a and means for supplying material to be reduced, a rotor in said chamber, said rotor acting to create an eddy for reducing said material, and a. guard in said rotor for controlling the movement of the air acted upon by the rotor.

10. In a reducing device comprising a chamber having a body of material therein and means for supplying material to be reduced, a rotor rotatable about a vertical axis i nsaid chamber, said rotor acting to create an eddy for reducing said material, means for supplying air into the lower part of said rotor, and means carried in the rotor for d eliecting the air toward 'the periphery of said rotor.

11. In a reducing device comprising aan air inlet producing portion, and an eddy producing portion. v l o 13. In a reducing device comprising a chamber and means for supplying air and materials to be reduced into said chamber, a rotor in said chamber, said rotor comprisin `an air inlet producing portion, and an edy producing portion, said rotor portions bengseparated by a plate.

14. A reducing mill having means including a luidal body for re ucing materials to a givenineness and a bottom section serving as an inlet for said luidal body for effecting the entry of said body. into the lower part of the reducing part of the mill, and means for controlling the passage of the iuidal bod through said bottom section.

15. A re ucing device,.comprising an up right reducing chamber, a rotor therein, means for supplying material to be reduced into said chamber, the walls of said chamber being provided with retarding means to hold the material adjacent the walls.

16. A reducing device, comprising an upright reducing chamber, a rotor therein, means for supplying material to bereduced into said chamber, the Walls of said chamyber being remote from .the peripheral parts of said rotor and being provided with upwardly ranged projections for-retarding the materlal adjacent said walls.

17; A reducing device, comprisingan upright reducing c amber, a rotor therein and rotating about an upright axis, means for supplying air andvmaterial to be reduced into said chamber, the side walls of said chamber'being provided with upright ribs and grooves for the retarding vof the material adjacent said walls and for return of material Ialong said rooves.

18. A reducing device, comprising an upright chamber, means therein for reducing the material to be acted upon, means for feeding the material to bej"reduced to said reducing means, a pocket located between said feeding means and said chamber for receiving non-reducible material to prevent its reaching the reducing means, and a closure for the pocket for aiording access thereinto.

19. A reducing device, comprising an upright chamber,` a,rotor therein and rotatable about an upright axis, means for supplying the material to be reduced into the lower part of said chamber, a collecting chamber beneath said upright chamber, and for receiving non-reducible material before it can reach the rotor and chamber, and means for affording access to said collecting chamber.

20. A device, comprising a reducing chamber having a reducing region, means therein for effecting the reducing of the material in said region, means for supplying the material into said region, a separating chamber above said reducing chamber, said chamber beingopen at its up er end and for direct communication with t e se arating chamber said communication aor in a return of oversize particles of materia into said re ducing region in said chamber from said separating chamberhand an'outlet'- for said separating chamber.

21. A reducing. device, comprising an upright reducing chamber having an upper extending portion above the reducing means W15 for serving as a separatin chamber, a rotatlng circulating means in t e latter, means in the reducingchamber for reducing the material to be reduced, and means for sup lying the material to said reducing cham er.

22. A reducing device, comprising an upright chamber, vmeans in the. lower part of said chamber for effectingfa c clonic and `eddying action in the contents o said chamber, the upper part of said chamber above sald means serving as a centrifugal separating chamber, and means for supplying the material to be acted upon into the lower part of said chamber.

23. A reducing device, comprising a reducing chamber, means including a fluldalf body for reducing the material supplied thereto, means for supplyingthe material thereto, and' an exhaust means superimposed upon said chamber for effecting movement of the reduced material from said chamber.

2li. A reducing device, comprising a re-m ducing chamber, means including a iuidal of the chamber having vertical grooves andY ridges which are spaced from the periphery of said rotor, said grooves and ridges acting to hold a substantial layer of material against said side walls and to guide the material for pulverizing, means for admitting air into said chamber, and means for discharging the air laden with reduced material.-

26. A reducing device, comprising a vertical chamber, a rotor in the lower part of the chamber and rotatable about a vertical axis, the upper part of said chamber serving as a separating chamber, a hopper at one side of the chamber for supplying the material to be reduced into the chamber, the side walls of the chamber having vertical grooves and ridges which are spaced from the periphery of said rotor, an air passage below the ver'- tical, chamber, an exhaust chamberv above said separating chamber, and means to causen a passage of air through said chamber. H

27. A reducing device, comprising a vertical chamber, a rotor Ain the lower part of the chamber and rotatable about a vertical axis, the upper part of said chamber serving as a separating chamber, a hopper at one side of the chamber for supplying the material m to be reduced into the chamber, the side walls of the chamber having vertical grooves and ridges which are spaced fromrthe periphery of said rotor, a valve controlled air chamber below said vertical chamber and having com- 1 munication therewith for supplying lair thereinto, an exhaust chamber above said separatin chamber, and means for effecting passage o air through said chambers.

28. A reducing device, comprising a verti-l ,0 cal chamber, a rotor in the lower part'of the l chamber and rotatable about a vertical axis, the upper part of said chamber serving as a separatin chamber, a hopper at one side of the chamber for supplying the material to z5 be reduced into the chamber, the side walls of the chamber having vertical grooves and ridges which are'spaced from the periphery of said rotor, said grooves and ridges acting to hold a substantial layer of material 3m against said side walls and to guide the material for pulverizing, a collecting receptacle below said vertical chamber and hopper for the reception of non-reducible material as the same passes fromthe hopper toward said 35 vertical chamber, and means for e'ecting a passage of air through said chambers. 29. A reducing mill comprising means including a luidal body for reducing mate-- rials to a given fineness and a bottom section 40 serving as an inlet for said uidal body for effecting the entry of said body into the lower part of the reducing part or the mill, said section having inlet openings, and doors therefor, for regulating the inlet of the luidal 5 body therethrough.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

HENRY G. LYKKEN. 

